Paul McCartney tribute wings it to Wirral for exclusive UK dates

A WIRRAL entertainer brings his tribute to the solo work of Sir Paul McCartney to the Floral Pavilion as part of the show’s world tour next month.

Karl Lornie's McCartney: Yesterday and Today will be staged in the New Brighton venue’s Blue Lounge on April 11 and 12 and is the only show they are doing in this country.

After that, the band take the tour to Europe and then America.

Wallasey-based actor, singer and songwriter Karl is joined in the five-piece band by Wirral musicians Nigel Whiteley, Mark Ruberry, Rob Shirley and Dustin Yenn.

Karl told the Globe: "It's nice to do something in my home town.

"Our Beatles show has been on a continuous tour of the world for years now and we only really get a chance to come back home every 18 months.

"With it being the Beatles' 50th anniversary, we decided to do something a little bit different.

"It's a retrospective of Paul's solo work, covering his time with Wings and up to today.

"His back catalogue of solo work is massive, which of course made it difficult when choosing what to include in a two-hour show.

"But I think we've got the balance right and produced a show which has something for everyone. I hope the Wirral audience likes it, too. The response to audiences so far has been great."

Karl first became Paul during a production of Imagine at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool - which featured Liverpool actor Mark McGann as John Lennon - has paid tribute to his idol across the world - on land and sea - eversince.

His commitment to an authentic theatrical stage concert can be seen in the fact that usually Karl plays guitar right handed - for the show he plays left handed like his idol.

Asked whether he has ever met the man who inspire his music career, Karl said: "Sadly, Paul has never seen any of my Beatles' shows, but I know he's heard about them through his brother Mike, who I bump into occasionally."

On The Beatles' appeal, Karl said: "They are as popular as ever, it's never diminished. It’s fascinating, for example, to take the show to different countries and here Beatles songs sung in English. We are hugely popular on cruise liners.”

"There are no plans to produce an album. It’s just a stage show and we’re very happy to keep it that way.

"The logistics of constant touring would make it impossible to take time out and step into a studio."